Morning journal and courier., 1887-01-31

Mr.. SarEentss Offer of Two Hundred
Thousand Dollars Viewed by Dif.
ferent CfIfZens-The HOusatonic VAL
Iey's Proposition and New Haven I'M
terests-VOiees From the Valley.
Mr.. J. B. Sargent's offer of 5000, 600 for
the city's interest in the Derby railroad does
not meet with general favor about town,
Judging from the free and terse expression of
opinion on the subject heard Saturday. Hon.
N. D. Sperry's opinion on the subject voices
substantially the sentiment of various of our
leading citizens on the subject. Mr.. Sperry
objects to Mr.. Sargent bidder for the
Derby road on the ground that Mr. Sargent
has always bitterly opposed the Derby rail-
road project and were he to get control of
the road he would by his proposed plan Of
taking UP tracks and approaching the city
another way ''cripple the aims and designs
of the projectors of the road, hem us in and
tie us up with our connection with the Starin
boats and tide water so as to destroy in a
great measure, if not entirely, that which
the business men and merchants of
the city have long had in view. And I
should look upon any of his projects in con-
nection with this matter as involving great
doubt and ruin to this enterprise. His offer
of $25, 900 above that already made may be
in good faith and it may not. But to me it
looks like the same old dog in the same old
manger, and it has a little smack of that same
kind of attack and spirit which prompted
him to make grave charges upon the alder
men of the city of New Haven, and which
attack proved groundless and of great dis
com6ture to the attacking party.
cat the time the Derby road was built it
was the intention of the projectors that it
4 80 IL ~
Meeting with the coal fields, and also giving
us q western connection.
81 should, SO far as I know, favor the
plan proposed of having the city sell, but /
don't know of the plan in detail. The great
point is to bring big trade to our markets
from which we are shut out for lack of just
such a railroad connection as proposed"
Mr.. Fl. 81. Bunnen said it was much pref
cradle for the city to take the Housatonic
Valley railroad company's offer than Mr..
Sargent's as what was wanted was the ex-
tension of the Derby, which the Housatonic
Valley company would build if the city ac-
cepted their offer, whereas there was no pros
ceeded in his offer. It was of great impor-
lance that the northwestern part of the State
be opened to our merchants.
General Merwin said 'fHere is splendid
chance for the city to get out of the railroad
business now and let us hope forever. We
Will by the c1tys accepting the n. v. 20. g
offer continue to get all the benefits deriva-
BILE from the Derby, while besides we will
gain greatly in the increased business which
the extension will give US. And then it is
said that the Naugatuck railroad company
would pay more than $751; 900. Will any
man think for a moment of selling out New
Ravens interests-her chance of greatly in
creased prosperity, by such a transaction as
that! Ideem the Housatonic Valley compa-
ny's offer to the city fair and equitable"
Mr.. a. B. Ives, president of the National
Savings bank, whose endorsement of the
offer made by the H. V. Co. spoken of
Saturday, said: 81 want the city and town of
New Haven to get the benefit of this railroad
business. I opposed their going into the
railroad business at the time of it, and I see
money in it for our city to accept the offer
provided none better is made-Inoney in it
because of the increase of trade and business
that would come from the northwest section
of our State. The Derby railroad will be ex-
tended sometime. 1t has got to come"
Watson j. Miller, treasurer and manager
of the Derby Silver company; William Will
kinson, principal owner of the Derby paper
mills and one OF the largest shippers in the
valley; M. Bassett, manufacturer of carriage
bolts; George H. Peck, president of the Star
Pin company, and various other prominent
business men of Birmingham, Ansonia and
Derby favor strongly the extension of the
little Derby.